São Paulo – Beach fashion produced by Nut Brasil, from Rio de Janeiro, is not only worn by Brazilian women. Since 2004, the company has also won clients abroad. Sales started in France and are currently concentrated in the United States and Spain. Exports currently answer to 30% of company revenues, but the intention is for this value to rise to 50%.
“In Brazil, we depend much on the climate in Brazil. If it cools down, sales drop, if it warms up, sales rise. Abroad, sales are certain,” said businesswoman Lídia Maria Cardoso. Nut exports are made mainly to three shops in the United States, to which between 1,000 and 1,500 bikinis go each summer, and also to a client in Spain, who is now choosing the items for the new collection.
“From Spain, I hope a good order will come,” said Lídia. Nut has two shops in Rio de Janeiro, one that sells from the rack and a showroom, so that clients may choose the items and set up their orders. “At the shop, we also sell small volumes to clients from Venezuela and Portugal,” she explained.
The first sales contracts came after the Hype Fair, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The event is one of the main windows for entrepreneurs in the sectors of fashion, art, design, decoration, handicraft and gastronomy. “We participated in the Year of Brazil in France, in 2005. We worked with printed items, including bikinis, handbags and tunics. We exhibited at Galleries Lafayette, in Paris, and an importer took the products to other countries,” recalls Lídia. Abroad, Nut also participated in fairs in the United States and in Lyon, France.
Nut offers exclusive print in its clothes, as well as the possibility of clients creating their own bikinis, choosing different models and sizes for the top and bottom parts. “Creating your own bikini is interesting and the parts may be plain or printed. We offer filled strapless ones, fruit, bird and heart prints, etc,” said the businesswoman.
In operation for 11 years, Nut produces on average 3,000 items per summer, as well as tunics, handbags, bathing suits, trunks and trousers. Average revenues are 80,000 Brazilian reals (US$ 43,000).
Contact
Nut Brasil
Tel.: (+55 11) 2236-1783
E-mail: nutbrasil@hotmail.com
*Translated by Mark Ament
